Skjervald

Skjervald (died 1204) was a supporter of the Birkebeiners during the Norwegian Civil War. In 1204, he assisted in the escape of Inga of Varteig with her son Haakon Haakonsson from Borg, and he returned to his wife Ylva and their one-year-old son Eirik after seeing off the other Birkebeiners and the child. However, a group of Baglers Orm headed to Skjervald's home and raped his wife when she refused to give up the location of the child; they threatened to kill Skjervald's family if he, too, refused to give the child's location. He was ultimately forced to give up the child's destination, but Orm had his crossbowmen kill Skjervald's wife and infant son anyways. Skjervald then escaped on his sled, with the Baglers pursuing the child. Skjervald avenged his family by killing Orm before he could harm Inga. Sadly, he died in his friend Torstein's arms due to suffering mortal wounds in battle.